Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds and headphones are sleek, comfortable, and blend into the ecosystem seamlessly. The Headphones Beats come with a Lightning plug for iPhones and some models come with a 3.5mm connector for older devices.

The AirPods Pro sound excellent for movies and music, with cinematic spatial audio as well as fancy virtual surround. They also have unique features such as instant pairing as well as automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.

Sound

Apple headphones usually provide great audio quality, and a lot of them come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone with a Lightning cable. There are adapters that let you to connect your headphones using an ordinary headphone socket if you don't own a Lightning cable. Apple headphones have a sound quality that is affected by the audio codecs they employ. Make sure to check what type of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that are included with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec is better for music and podcasts since it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The top Apple headphones will have at minimum AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides more range than earlier versions of the technology.

If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, consider buying headphones that include the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound to give you an immersive listening experience. You'll need to possess an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to utilize this feature.

Apple headphones aren't just great for audio, but also look stylish. The company's EarPods, for example, are simple but decent earbuds that can fit in the majority of pockets and offer great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and Headphones Beats feature closed-back designs that provide better noise isolation for commutes and sports. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and aren't comfortable enough to wear when running. They also have a heavier build and are more expensive than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these disadvantages, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer incredible sound quality, and offer outstanding noise cancellation. They are high-end headphones with high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is known for their sleek design, and headphones from the company aren't any different. They have a range of options, from wired models that connect to the iPhone's headphone port to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are typically more expensive than similar models from rival brands, but they generally sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling in the world. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and a sleek and compact package. The earbuds are equipped with an extremely long-lasting battery as well as Siri voice activation that allows users to operate hands-free. The earbuds come with a unique case that powers them up and secures them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement, which can be useful for those who exercise or running. The wireless headphones feature the feature of spatial audio, which mimics surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be confusing initially however it's an enjoyable method to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is another great option for audiophiles or those who like Apple Music playlists. These earbuds offer up to 22 hours of ANC, and 40 without. They use the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also come with a custom "Hey Siri" activation and wings tips to ensure an optimum fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both offer earbuds that are specifically designed for their respective ecosystems, but they each have their particular strengths. For example, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a longer battery life and include an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones are great for people who rely on Apple's ecosystem however their controls are likely to frustrate everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't necessarily have robust features, and they're lacking certain functions that are essential to their truly wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not volume control.

Connectivity

With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones and the disappearance of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones wired models are fast becoming the way of the Dodo. For those who prefer listening to music using traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that can be used with all Apple devices. It also offers a pair of truly wireless earbuds, the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal to provide an almost wire-free listening experience.

If you have a Mac that is older make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This technology provides superior audio quality and longer battery life compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Also check the list of supported audio codecs and make sure your music files are playable.

Whatever type of headphones you opt for, look for models that offer an ensconced fit. On-ear or over-ear models that have a thick headband offer an ensconced fit and are less likely to fall out during exercise. You need earbuds that are snug and are able to seal your ears and provide excellent noise cancellation to block out any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. AirPods are stylish and sleek and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model but feature an updated appearance, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the latest addition to the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, long battery life, and a comfortable fit in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, adding support for the brand new AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless connection protocol that enables higher Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones are unable to connect to your Mac try setting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Select the headphones apple you want to use from the list. Next to their name. You may need to switch the headphones into pairing mode first by pressing and holding their pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

If you think them worth $549 is entirely up to you, but objectively, the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The smart features like auto-pause and transparency modes are extremely practical and the sound quality is utterly amazing. The headphones are also well-constructed and sound great, which isn't always the case for wireless headphones.

Of course, that sort of high-end functionality comes with an expense and for a lot of people the AirPods are too expensive. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset used in the iPhone's latest generations of speakers to analyze the audio from the eight microphones that are placed within the earcups and around them. This enables the headphones to not only actively block out noise from outside, but to tailor your music's sound in real-time, based on how they fit and seal around your head. Apple claims to be able adjust 200 settings to your music every second, which is an incredible number. The result is a pair of headphones that truly feel alive with cinematic depth and clarity that's in a league of their own. AirPods Pro can make even the most boring tracks sound spectacular and immersive.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and they continue to be available now with either a Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they do not have a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, but these earbuds are still great for exercising or for commuting. They have excellent battery life and are comfortable to wear.

Apple acquired Beats' original line in 2014. They've remained largely identical, except that they now have the USB-C charger and W1 chip. It's likely that the company will eventually discontinue the brand, but collaborations with artists and the occasional update such as the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the newer H1 chip could keep them relevant for a while.